Printing telegraphic apparatus



May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Oct. 8, 1952 D rq INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON BY 7K7 ATTORNEY May10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,708,213

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,703,213

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

FIG. l3

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY FIG. l2

May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,708,218

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IFIG. 5

173 163 I72 I77 lee fig. I96 97 199UIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII;IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII n7 f FIG. 6

FIG. 7

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 PRINTINGTELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Arthur N. Nilson, Chicago, 11]., assignor toTeletype Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of DelawareApplication October 8, 1952, Serial No. 313,658

16 Claims. (Cl. 178-25) The present invention relates to printingtelegraph mechanisms and apparatus for efiecting coordinate selection oftype characters under the control of permutation .Code signals.

In high speed printing telegraph machines of the class represented bythe disclosure in W. I. Zenner Patent No.

I 2,505,729 a rectangular type holder is employed in which the printingcharacters consist of longitudinally shiftable plungers lightly springloaded toward retracted position and adapted to be actuated by anoverpowering stroke 'from a percussion spring loaded print hammer. The

paper is fed around a stationary cylinder platen and the I type carriageis advanced a letter space at a time across the width of the paper webparallel to the platen whereafter it is returned in line for lineadvancement as the platen is advanced.

The improved speed printing characteristics of this class of printerreside in the short moving distances and mobility inherent in the typeholder. This member, as explained in the above referred to patent, andas illustrated particularly in Figs. 44 to 46 thereof, consists of alight weight minimum inertia assembly designed to require but shortmovement during character selection and as a consequence of which aconsiderable gain is achieved respecting typing speed as compared withother classes of printing telegraph apparatus theretofore known.

The individual type elements which are carried in the I rectangular typebox or holder consist of short length Ibars each having on an end anindividual character type. Each such element is spring tensioned tomaintain its type end retracted. When struck by a trip-release printhammer the element is given forward about an eighth of an inch toimpress itself against a print ribbon which is then caused to impingeupon the surface of a sheet of paper trained around a cylindricalplaten. The operation of each printing or other function is controlledby the same system of permutation code signals used in other automatictransmission which conventionally employs a five unit permutation codethat has its selective possibilities expanded by devoting two of itsthirty-two selections to the performance of case shift and unshiftoperations. As a consequence the use that may be had ofthe remainingthirty selections is doubled there by yielding an adequate total ofsixty selective possibilities which is ample for the performance of allletter and figure printing operations under American and Englishlanguage practice together with standard punctuation and various specialfunctions needed for supervision.

It is important that all automatic printers be capable of responding tothe same code system in order that improved apparatus may be connectedinto existing networks and respond to the same transmitting signals asexisting machines. Although designed for the purpose of achievinggreater printing speed, it is nevertheless apparent that these machinesshould be capable of operating under established practice in order thatwhere conversion to newapparatus may be effected the changeover may takeplace transitionally and without producing costly obsolescence.

2,708,218 Patented May 10, 1955 Briefly, the present improvementconcerns itself with coordinate placement selecting mechanism for pageprint ers. The type characters are housed in rectangular boxlike typecarriers having transverse slide receiving apertures. In each aperturethere is lodged an individual character bearing type element. All of thetype elements comprising two so-called case groups are arranged in fourhorizontal rows with sixteen elements in each row.

The present invention concerns mechanism for moving the type box from aneutral or zero position to one in which the type elements are broughtinto alignment to print on the paper. The selection of each elementtoward this end is accomplished by an individual code signal. Theplacement of the type carriage in accord '1 ance with each printing codesignal constitutes a horizontal movement whereby to align, at theprinting station, one of the sixteen printing type elements in eachhorizontal row as well as the proper elevation of the type carriage todispose the related horizontal row at the printing station.

The print characters are organized into two case sections occupyingadjacent positions; thereby, the total is. divided into two major groupsidentified traditionally as case shift although actually printingtelegraph apparatus is usually composed of but a single case alphabetand numerals supplement. These characters together with punctuationconstitute the lower case group as distin-' guished from most of thealphabetical characters which are in the upper case.

Each of the two major sub-divisions of the type carriage is furtherdivided by vertical delineation into two side-by-side sub-groups withthe intermediate delineation constituting the zero placement. Thesub-groups consists of four horizontal rows each having four verticalrows or in terms of the already described division each consisting offour vertical typing positions.

From the zero positions of each sub-division into which the typecarriage is placed as a response to the case shift or unshift codecombination signals, further movement to achieve a precise printinglocation in both horizontal and vertical directions is made responsiveto the component characteristics of each code combination signal. Theselective movement of the type carriage in response to such signals is amomentary operation after which, and following the print stroke, thetypecarriage is returned to its particular zero position in its lastcase selection.

Character printing selections are made by moving the type carriageeither. to the right or left of each of its zero positions and at thesame time elevating it to one i four different levels. The referred topatent shows one manner of such a selection and apparatus for accom:plishing it. The present invention concerns itself with a difierent andimproved manner of achieving this selection by the use of more efiicientand reliable operating media. The improved apparatus is capable ofwithstanding more extended fatigue service without breakdown orsusceptibility to error while yet achieving these ends under economicand more practical or eflicient manufacturing cost factors.

The principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide anovel 'type'of selector mechanism for printing telegraph apparatus whichis capable of high speed responses in the coordinate placement ofgrouped type elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel printingtelegraph selector mechanism for coordinating the horizontal andvertical components of selective type carriage placement into a diagonalvector movement which is the resultant of the coordinate factors.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a noveltype of coordinate selection apparatus for printing telegraph mechanismwhich is characterized.

by a simplification and reduction in the number of moving parts whileyet achieving a durable, efficiently operating mechanism which undergoesa straight line movement from its ;zero to each. of its selectedpositions so that the selecting and printing cycles may be eificientlyperformed attended by generous margins of operating cycle over-lap andresulting in a general improvement in efficiency and speed of operation.

For a better understanding of this invention and for a morecomprehensive explanation of its mode of accomplishment attention willnow be directed to the following detailed specification and to theaccompanying illustrations in both of whichsimilar parts are designatedby like reference numerals, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustratingvariousfeatures of a printing telegraph selector mechanism having embodiedtherein certain principles of the present invention;

. Fig. 2 is a front televational view diagrammatically illustrating thetype carriage selector mechanism surrounded by certain structuralelements relating to the present invention;

Fig.3 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the apparatusillustrated'in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus viewed in Fig. 2 withthe type carriage removed for the sake of revealing underlyingstructure;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating the No. 6code bar which is positioned in response 1 to shift and unshift codesignals in a five unit code;

,Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the No. 3 code bar and itsrelated mechanism for shifting the slide cam switches to their right orleft hand positions so that theetfective one of them will determine thedirection of movement in a horizontal sense of the type carrier from itszero position;

Fig. 7is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of the No. 1 and No. 2code bars together with their related transfer bell cranks whichdetermine the increment of horizontal displacement in each printing typeselection;

Figs. 8, 9, l0, and 11 are similar views of-a series of cam plates orslideswhich incorporate the lateral shift component into the movement ofthe type carriage at the same time that its vertical shift component isimparted to it;

Fig. 12 is. a fragmentary side elevational detail view with parts brokenaway featuring a centering detent for maintaining the type carriage andits control shaft stable uponrthe return of the operating cam plates totheir home position; and e I Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of theapparatus illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, attentionis directed to the rectangular type holder or box designated '21, Figs.1, 2, and '3. This member is formed of sheet steel in the same manner asthe. one indicated 99 in the referred to Patent No. 2,505,729. Thedistribution and arrangement of the type plungers 22in the fourpositions or sub-divisions 23, 24, 25, and 26 may be more clearlyregarded in Fig. 3. The central dividing line or space 27 separates thetotal body of type into two'case groups of which sub-groups 23 and 24together will be designated as upper case While sub-groups 25. and 26will be designated as lower case. It has already been mentioned thatcase as a group classification in printing telegraphy does notnecessarily involve type style designation.

patent is tripped to efiect a percussive stroke against the selectivelyaligned character element.

Since the present invention concerns itself more directly with the typepositioning phase of the selecting mechanism which permits the desiredprinting character to be placed at the printing station, than it doeswith the actuating and other apparatus, the accompanying illustrationshave been purposely limited to showing the pertinent structure,reference being had to the patent for other views of the disclosure,which are general or incidental to the invention.

The type box 21 is anchored as by bolting at 28 and 29 to a verticalslide or elevator rack which is made up of the side frame members 31 and32 that have ribbed rail or flange extremities confined to parallelvertical movement by the guides 33. The raising of elevator 31-32 isaccomplished by a-transversely extending shaft 35 (see also Fig. 2),carried at the free end ofa bell crank lever 36 pivoted at 37 andconnected by a linkv v 33 to a similar arm of a power driven bell crank39 pivoted at 41. The free end of the horizontal arm of the bell crank39 carries .a roller 42 which is confined between a pair of spacedparallel barsor beams that comprise a cyclically actuated powerapparatus driven by an electric motor in the printing machine. By meansof the bell cranks 36 and 39 arranged in the manner shown the powertake-01f stroke is transmitted in the desired proportions and directionfor accomplishing the selecting and positioning of type charactersduring the elevator operation.

As may be observed from Fig. 3, shaft 35 raisesthe.

elevator slide -3132 through a knee action linkage com prising the linkarms 44 and45 which are connected together at an intermediate pivot 46and. held in the position shown in Fig.3 under bias of a spring 47. Thisrelationship prevails because sidewardly extending lug 48 jutting fromarm 45 encounters the obstructing lip 49 integral with the framework ofelevator 31- 32. Arm 45 forms part of a bell crank lever which ispivoted at 51 on the elevator frame 3132 and another arm of whichextends sidewardly and is designated 52.

By means of code component translating apparatus such.

as that disclosed in the referred to patent or such as that discussed inconnection with the description of Fig. 4, one or another of fourinterponents designated 53, 54, or 56 is adapted to be placed into thepath of sidewardly extending arm or anticipator 52 so as to obstruct theraising of this'arm at a significant level and instead to cause the bellcrank 45 to rotate counterclockwise about its pivot 51 overcoming theinfluence of spring 47. The aforedescribed selectable intervention byone of the stops 53 to 56 is accomplished through the No. 4 and No. 517C: sition code bars of the basic five unit code. The permutativepositioning of these two code bars operating through a local selectingapparatus is made to influence the four interponents 53+-56 so that oneof them alone Will lie in the path of arm 52 of bell crank lever 45.

Depending upon which one of the interponcnts is thus selected, bellcrank lever 45 will rotate counterclockwise about its pivot 51 at arelated level causing the straight alignment with lever 44 to collapseso that the remainder of the stroke imparted by the shaft 35 will bedissipated in rotating levers 44 and 45, the former clockwise about itspivot 35 and the latter counterclockwise as has already been said.Meanwhile the type carriage 21 will have 7 been elevated to asignificant level which corresponds with the point at which theinterponent group 53-56 caused the lifting apparatus to collapse at theyicldable lever linkage 4445. This action is also referred to as the1;!160 action yield.

Attention is now directed to that portion. of the disclosure which isillustrated in Fig. 2 and in connection therewith there will now beexplained the mechanism. which locatesthe type box orcarrier-21inthehorizontal. sense at the same time that it is being elevated by the,just described power stroke bell crank 36 and shaft 35.

Shaft has sufficient length to extend horizontally across four arcuatelinks designated 61, 62, 63 and 64 seen also in Figs. 8 through 11. Eachone of these links has the same profile and each is pivotallyarticulated as at 65 to a downwardly extending projection 66 integralwith one or another of the four slidable cams 67, 68, 69, and 71.

As viewed in Fig. 2 the foremost link 61 and the foremost slide cam 67are the only ones that may be seen since the remainder of them arestacked behind the foremost 3 one in parallel alignment. The cams 67-71have different profiles and physical characteristics one from another,however. Links 61-64 each include an arcuate lower portion, the centerof which is arcuately slotted as at 72 on a radius about pivot 37 as acenter. Hence, when the bell crank 36 is rocked counterclockwise shaft35 normally is free to travel the full distance of the bell crank strokewhich corresponds with the length of the arcuate slots 72.

Under certain conditions, however, one of the four links 61-64 ispermitted to become displaced from the position in which the foremostlink 61 is shown in Fig. 2 by rocking clockwise about its pivotal center65 to a limited extent or until the cove 73 receives shaft 35. This isbrought about in the following manner.

The two principal selector bars 76 and 77 which correspond with the No.l and No. 2 code positions in a five unit permutation code transmittheir placement to a pair of spring loaded (counterclockwise) selectingbell cranks 78 and 79 both of which are pivoted at 81 Figs. 1 and 7.

In accordance with the permutative placement of the two selecting bellcranks 78 and 79 their downwardly extending beam sections 82 and 83,Fig. 1 become variously disposed, but for each selective disposition aclearance is established for one of a series of four selectable bellcrank levers 84, 85, 86 and 87 which lie transverse to bell cranks 78and 79. The horizontally extending arms of these levers are equippedwith individually disposed projections 88 arranged so that for differentpermutation code signals, so far as code bars 76 and 77 are concerned,one L and only one of the bell crank levers 84-87 may be selected formovement from the rest position in which these members are normallyheld.

The movement imparted to each one of the selectable bell cranks in aclockwise direction about their common pivot 89 is urged by acorresponding series of individual springs 91 each acting on its relatedbell crank lever dependent arm 92. All of the springs 91 may be attachedto a common spring post 93 and their spring pressure is relativelygreater than that of four related leaf springs 94, which will bedescribed later.

Each one of the bell crank levers 84-87 is accompanied by a companionbell crank 95-98 also pivoted on shaft 89. Bell cranks 95-93 each havean arm 99 which is connected through a spring 101 with a sidewardextension 102 integral with the depending arm 92 of each of the levers84-87. Through the springs 101, whose force is slightly inferior to thatof springs 91 but greater than that of the fiat leaf springs 94, thebell crank companion levers 95-98 are maintained in a counterclockwiseextremity of position determined by the encounter between theirhorizontal arms 99 and short sidewardly jutting pins 103 carried byportions which depend from the horizontal arms of the bell cranklevers'8487.

The downwardly extending arms of bell crank levers 95-98 are profiledafter the manner in which they are more accurately illustrated in Fig.2, including feeler extremities 104 which rest, each against a relatedone of the links 61-64 maintaining the latter members in thecounterclockwise extreme positions, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

When any one of the bell crank levers 84-87 is permitted to rotateclockwise as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, by reason of the selectivedisposition of the selecting bell cranks 78 and 79, its spring 91 causessuch bell crank to be rotated clockwise about pivot 89. As aconsequence,

springs 101 cause the companion bell crank 95-98 also to be rotatedclockwise withdrawing its extremity 104 from engagement with thelowermost portions of related links 61-64. The freeing of pressure fromany of springs 101 upon the links 61-64 permits its individual flatspring 94 to exert sufiicient pressure against the sidewardly extendingnose portion 105 to cause such link to rotate clockwise whereat theshaft 35 will be nestled within the cover 73 for the duration in which aparticular one of the bell crank levers 84-117 becomes thus selectivelydisposed.

Briefly following this portion of each selecting cycle, a power strokeis imparted by the printer unit to the bell crank lever 39 which carriesthe follower roller 42. As a result, bell crank lever 36 is rotatedcounterclockwise about its pivot 37, Fig. 2, as has already beenexplained, and as a further result shaft 35 undergoes a reciprocalmotion rising to an uppermost level and then returning to the lowerlevel, as shown. As a consequence of this movement on the part of shaft35, it will engage and lift one of the link arms 61-64 which has beenselectively displaced and will ride idly within the slots 72 of theremainder of them. Respecting the selected link 61-64 which has beenthus engaged and lifted, the movement of shaft 35 will cause such linkto bodily carry with it the. associated slide cam 67-71 with which it isconnected at stem projection 66.

It may be Well to note at this point that shaft 35 represents the powerfactor for raising the elevator mechanism 31-32 as well as for operatinga selected slide cam 67-71 and that it accomplishes both of thesefunctions concurrently. This means that the vertical and horizontalshift components are imparted to the type carrier 21 concurrently.Accordingly, type carrier 21 in attaining any of its selected printingpositions moves in a diagonal and practically straight line toward suchselected destination as Well as returning therefrom.

Attention is now directed more particularly to Figs. 8 through 11 inwhich are shown the four slide cams 67- 71 together with their carriedreversing switches 111- 114. Each reversing cam or switch 111-114 is anindividually profiled and proportioned member of a class which areotherwise generally similar. Each is pivoted as at 115 to the downwardlyextending stem 66 of its related slide cam and each is provided with aflaring or angularly shaped neck portion 116 significantly greater inwidth than the stem 66 to which it is pivoted.

in connection with this arrangement, Fig. 6, the disposition of the No.3 code bar 117, see also Fig. l, acting through a bell crank lever 113pivoted at 119, is made to impart related motion to a shiftable slide121. Slide member 121 is confined to these short reciprocal slidingmovements by the elongated openings 122 and the transverse pins 123 thatextend therethrough. The body of member 121 comprises a wideintermediate portion which.

is slotted as at 124 in a precise manner to encompass all of the flaringangle neck extremities 116 of the reversing switches 111-114. Depending,therefore, upon whether.

the No. 3 code bar 117 is placed into marking or spacing condition, allof the reversing switches 111-114 will be correspondingly disposed,either in the position in which they are all shown in Figs. 8 through 11or in an opposite condition in which all of the reversing switches111-114 will be inclined symmetrically in the opposite sense fromvertical. 7

Accordingly, the disposition of the No. 3 code bar 117 is made tofulfill a certain phase in the selective movement of the type carriage21 which may be designated as the determination factor which resolvesWhether the sideward movement of the type carrier following the caseshift determination, shall be to the right-or to the leftof zeroposition. This resolution is in effect choosing between sections 23 and24 on the one handand between sections 25 and 26 on the other.

Each one of the slide cams 67-71 is internally profiled in a symmetricalpattern resembling an inverted keystone or diamond shape. Theseapertures range from the relatively wide base characteristics of thatshown in cam 67, progressively diminishing to a relatively narrow baseaperture as shown in earn- 71. The active or significant portions ofthese profiled apertures are their inclined cam surfaces 131, 132, 133,and 134. In correspondence with the inclination of these cam surfacesthe reversing switches 111 -114 are of corresponding angularinclination. To illustrate what is meant by this relationship further,attention is directed to Fig. 11 where the angular inclination of thecam surfaces 134 are comparatively steep and nearly vertical. When thereversing switch 116 is disposed to'the left as viewed in thisillustration, reposing against pin 138, its related edge 135 is parallelto the right hand cam surface 134. When the switch 116 is shifted to itsopposite condition reposing against the pin 13') instead of against thepin 138 then its opposite edge 139 will be parallel to the left camsurface 134.

In likemanner the respective edges 141 and 142 of reversing switch 113are so shaped that they will be correspondingly parallel with the camsurfaces 133 of cam plate 69 while the edges 14-3 and 144 of reversingswitch 112 bear the same relationship to the cam surfaces 132 of camplate 68. Finally, the edges 145 and 146 of reversing switch 111 arecorrespondingly disposed in respect to the cam edges 131 of plate 67.Suitable spring detenting may be provided to work on the severalswitches 111 through 114 in an overcentering manner so that when shiftedto the right or left through the action of shift plate 121 in accordancewith the placement of the No. 3 code bar 117 the respective reversingswitches will assume their right or left-hand positions so as to providea spaced channel in cooperation with their respective inclined camsurfaces 131-134 for directing the course of movement which will beimparted to a stud V shaft or beam 148, one end of which is anchored tothe 'main frame 34, Fig. 1.

Each one of the side loops 149 and 151 is formed with an internal guideslot or elongated hole 152 within which there rides a roller 153 or 154that extends from one of the side extremities 155 or 156 of the basecarriage which includes slide frame 157;

p The carriage frame 157 together with its side portions .155 and 156 ismoved from left to right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, in a step-by-stepmanner after each character is printed in accordance with the usualletter space V operations of a typing printer and as described in thepatent referred to, and is returned leftward to starting positionfollowing each line feed operation. This carriag'e structure 157 carrieswith it all of the mechanism utilized in' the power transmitting andselecting operations previously described. Included is a downwardlyextending rib or wall designated 158, Fig. 2, and ,a sidewardlyextending wall portion 159 (Figs. 2 and 3) which carries being displacedleftwardly as viewed in Fig. 2 and by being thrust upwardly on accountof the action of shaft 135, the other ones of the links 61-64 remainingin their ,normal condition as illustrated in Fig. 2 and in respect tothem the movement of shaft 35 is idle.

f The link this selected and operated 61-64 is carried upwardly withshaft 35 and by so doing carries with it the related cam plates 67-71.Meanwhile the remaining cam plates 67-71 stay in their down or normalposition as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11. As a consequence of the upwardmovement of one of these plates, its reversing switch 111-114 havingalready been determined in its right or left-hand position in accordancewith the placement of the No. 3 code bar 117, as explained above, thereis caused to be presented a channel, to the right or to the left, forreceiving the shaft or beam 148 and for carnming said cam platerightwardly or leftwardly. In the case of cam plate 67 this channel isextremely sloped, and hence shaft 148 undergoes an extreme movementwhile in the case of cam plates 68, 69 and 71 this movement isproportionately smaller. In terms of the type box 21this' selectivemovement constitutes a resolution which brings the related vertical rowof typing plunge'rs into the precise printing station.

The case shift determination is executed concurrently in accordance witha five unit permutation code case signal. The receipt of a case shiftsignal precedes its character signal and accordingly positions a sixthselector bar designated 163, Figs. 1 and 2. As more clearly illustratedin Fig. 5 the case shift code bar 163 dilfers in several regards fromthe remaining code bars 76, 77, 117 and 164 and 165. This bar includesapparatus for latching itself in eitherof its selected positions so thatsuch position will be maintained until an ensuing shift or unshiftsignal is received causing the latch mechanism to place the code bar 163into its other condition. This latch mechanism includes a principallatch lever designated 168 pivoted at 169 and urged by a spring 171 ina. clockwise direction as viewed inVFig. 5. One end of lever 168 isprovided with alatching shoulder 172 which i may repose in the firstnotch 173 or in the second notch 174 formed in code bar 163. When a caseshift signal is received by the five principal code bars 76, 77, 117,164 and a condition is established for enabling the selection of afunction lever designated in Fig. 5 by the reference numeral 177. As aconsequence of the cyclic power stroke this code bar is moveddownwardlyes viewed in Fig. 5 causing to be rotated the bell crank lever178 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 169 wherefore itsother extremity 179 engages a pin 181 which juts out of code bar 163thrusting the latter member rightwardly or into its shift position inwhich position it is shown in solid outline in Fig. 5. When thishappens, latch lever 168 presents its. shouldered extremity 172 in thenotch 173 and bar 163 is thus held in the case shift position.

When an unshift signal is received a different condition is establishedupon the series of five code bars which results in the selection of anunshift function lever 182. This lever engages the head portion 133 oflatch lever 168 rocking that member counterclockwise about pivot 169 andreleasing the shouldered extremity 172 from notch 173 so that spring 184is then enabled to restore the No. 6 code bar 163 toits unshiftcondition which is that in which it is illustrated by dotted outline inFig. 5.

Sometimes it is desired that a printing telegraph apparatus which iscapable of shift and unshift regulation be made to restore toits unshiftcondition automatically or without necessarily awaiting the receipt ofan overt unshift signal. Towards this end there has been provided analternative selectable function lever 185, Fig. 5 ,which ischaracteristically notched so that it will respond to theordinary spacesignal. This signal is received at the conclusion of each word for thepurpose of spacing the printing before the b'eginningof a succeedingword. As will be observed from Fig. 5 the elfect of the selection offunction lever 185 will be the same as'that of the unshift functionlever 182 above described.

By providing oblique guide slots 186 in all of the code bars includingthe No. 6 case-shift bar 163, the longitudinal shifting of these barsmay be made to effect a slight lateral displacement, as has already beendiscussed in connection with the dotted and solid outline illustrationsof Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In connection with the case shift bar 163 thisslight lateral displacement is transmitted to a bell crank lever 187pivoted at 188. The working end of bell crank lever 187 is articulatedas at 189 to a shiftable bar 191, Fig. 2, and causes the latter bar toassume a corresponding position at either of its extremities aspermitted by the elongated slot 192.

At its opposite end, shiftable bar 191, is connected pivotally as at 193with a cloverleaf shaped interponent 194. This interponent is pivoted at195 in the main frame 158 and is provided with a pair of sidewardlyextending arms each of which carries a short length of abutment pindesignated 196 and 197, see also Fig. 3. The alternative placement ofcloverleaf interponent 194 causes one or the other of its pins 196 or197 to be disposed in the path of a control arm 198 which extendsdownwardly and is integral with a box cam bell crank lever 199 pivotedon shaft 148.

Bell crank lever 199 is internally profiled with a sinuous or reversecurve camming groove 201 within which there is adapted to ride afollower roller 202 carried by a pin which juts sidewardly from and isanchored to the guide frame 34. When bell crank lever 199 assumes theposition in which it is indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 follower roller202 rides in the outermost extremity of sinuous groove 201 and as aresult carriage 34 is disposed in its figures shift position. Under suchconditions the printing apparatus is prepared to' type from amongthe'character elements located in divisions 23 and 24 of the type box21. When this bell crank lever is disposed in its alternative positionthe follower roller 202 is cammed to the opposite extremity of sinuousslot 201 whereupon the printing carriage 34 will be disposed to printfrom among the character elements found in areas 25 and 26. Thisresolution is termed the case shift selection. It is to be noted thatwhile the determination is 'made by the case shift code bar 163 duringthe receipt of a shift or unshift five unit signal, the execution ofcase shift displacement upon the type box 21 and its carrying frame 34is accomplished during a selecting cycle whenshaft'148 is movedsidewardly by the slide cam 67. It is to be noted at this point that inthe present embodiment of the invention, slide cam 67 functions in adual capacity;'for example, as just described, the slide cam 67 isinstrumental in effecting the shift and unshift functions. However, itis to be remembered that slide cam 67 is normally instrumental inefiecting character selections.

Case shift lever 199 is moved from either one of its alternativepositions to the other one by the pins 196 and 197 which jut sidewardlyout of the cloverleaf memher 194. This is accomplished in the followingmanner. Shaft 148 is moved to the right or to the left depending uponthe disposition of reversing switch 111 which results in a correspondingsideward movement on the part of sift cam 199. When under thesecircumstances one or the other of the pins 196 and 197 is positioned toencounter the downwardly extending arm 198 of case shift bell cranklever 199, the latter member is shifted and its sinuous internal groove201 causes follower roller 202 to be positioned correspondingly.

Thus, as a'consequence of the case shift signal aifecting the No. 6 codebar 163 the cloverleaf member 194 will have imparted to it a case shiftpositioning characteristic, but such characteristic will not betranslated to the principal carriage 34 until the slide cam 67 which isresponsive to the Nos. 1 and 2 code bar selection consummates its slidemovement upwardly.

Case sift lever 199 is springably detained by a jockey 204;pivoted at205 and spring urged in a counterclockwise direction as observed in Fig.2 so as to dispose its disk head in one or the other of a pair ofperipheral recesses 206 and 207. Jockey lever 204 is pivoted on an 10inclined arm extention 208 of an intermediate bar 209 in which ismounted the already described stud shaft 148 and a pair of spacedcompanion stud shafts 211 and 212 which ride in longitudinal slots 213and 214 formed in the side wings and 156 of the principal carryingframe, Figs. 1 and 2.

Intermediate slide bar 209 is thus enabled to undergo longitudinaldisplacement in correspondence with the movement of shaft 148 in ahorizontal direction while through hell crank 199 and its sinuous boxcam groove 201, the type carriage 34 is capable of receiving a totalhorizontal movement consisting of the summation of movements caused bythe box cam 201 and by the sideward displacement of shaft 148 togetherwith its intermediate bar 209 which has already been explained. Thus,during the upward stroke of cam slide 67, the shaft 148 (and hence slide209) is moved a predetermined distance to the left (for example) while,through the cam'slot 201, the slide 209 is moved a predetermineddistance to the right, causing thereby, the type box 24 to move apredetermined resultant or differential distance to the right, which isonly a part of the full shift motion or distance. Then, upon thedown-stroke of the slide cam 67, the shaft 148 (and hence slide 209) ismoved a further predetermined distance to the right, which added to thepreviously mentioned resultant distance, will be equal to the full shiftmotion or distance imparted to the type box 24. With this arrangementthe shift movement of the type box 24 is achieved in a gentler andquieter manner. Through the operation of one or another of the fourinterponents 53-56 the so-called knee-action linkage, including arms 44and 45 is made to impart a variable degree of vertical movement to theelevator slide 31-32 stimulated by the power driven stud shaft 35. Theselection of the interponents 53-56 whereby there is obtained fourdifferent levels of elevation is accomplished through the permutativesetting of the No. 4 and No. 5 code bars designated 164 and 165, seealso Fig. 4.

The codal positioning of bars 164 and may be impressedupon a pair ofintermediate selecting bell cranks 217 pivoted at 218 and by anarrangement resembling the selecting bell cranks 78 and 79 of Fig. 7there is accomplished an ultimate selection of one of the fourinterponents 53-56. This selection is accomplished during the selectingportion of a cycle prior to the action of the power stroke upon followerroller 42 and bell crank 39. It is therefore to be observed that boththe vertical and horizontal setting which is eventually imparted to thetype box 21 consisting of the horizontal and vertical motion componentswhich is imparted through all of the described action, a single printplunger 22 is brought into alignment with the printing hammer.

All of these motions are completed during the period of time ofexecution of the single power stroke on the part of hell crank levers 36and 39.

Each of the four slide cams 67-71 is provided with an internallyprofiled aperture the lower portion of which is singularly contouredrespecting each slide cam surface but the upper portions of which, as at221, are identical. This permits stud shaft 148 to be moved sidewardiyin either direction actuated by one of the cam plates 67-71 Withoutinterfering with the idle cam plates which are then unactuated. Upon thereturn motion of an actuated cam plate 67-71 shaft 148 is returned toits central position by a reverse guidance through the same slot orcourse which directed its sideward movement during the raising of theparticular actuated cam plate. However, when all of the cam plates havereached their home position additional means is provided for maintainingshaft 148 in its central location and for this purpose attention isdirected to Figs. 12 and 13.

Here there is indicated by the reference numeral 220 a latch bell crankwhich is pivoted at 222 and which includes a long arm 223 terminatingwith a hook recess as at 224. This recess is provided with flared entryin An overhanging portion 226 which may be a sideward 7 extension of thecentral yoke formation of this bell crank lever is adapted to overlieall of the slides 67-l1 when they are located in their down orunoperated position but upon the raising of any one of them, itsencounter with the overhanging portion 226 of bell crank lever 220 willresult'in the counterclockwise rotation of this lever against theinfluence of its return spring whereupon shaft 148 is free to be shiftedand the lever will come to be disposed after the manner indicated indotted outline in Fig. 12. t

The effect of this detent accessory is to assure the maintenance ofcentral location on the part of shaft 148 at such times when controlover this shaft is not assumed by any of the slide cams 6771. Thisprecaution is particularly important in view of the fact that theelongated slot 221 which is common to all of the slide cams wouldotherwise permit shaft 148 to drift away from its central position andperhaps be out of registry with the common mouth opening into each ofthe inverted scutiform apertures of the several cam slides 6771.

The operative cycle of apparatus constructed in accordance with thepresent invention may have generally the same characteristics as that ofall conventional five unit permutation code telegraph transmittersemploying shift and unshift selection for case control. A substantialdegree of overlap between successive character signals may be permittedin accordance with the design of the selecting and printing mechanismherein proposed. For example, each one of the secondary selectiondevices (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) is able to receive its signal impression inaccordance with the setting of the series of code bars 76, 77, 117, 164and 165 and to impart such setting to its consequent elements in thetransfer train thereby releasing the basic code bars, 76, 77, etc. tothe reception of a subsequent codecombination signal even while theprinting operation pertaining to a preceding signal is yet undergoingexecution,

Also, it is to be observed that the selective placement of the type box21 which is a resultant compounded of vertical and horizontal movementsexecuted simultaneously by independent trains of mechanism under impetusof a single stroke or power actuation results in the movement of thetype box 21 to each selected printing position by following a diagonalstraight line path whichis the hypotenuse of the two coordinate paths.This makes for improved efiiciency and speed in attaining selectiveresponse mass and inertia factors being equal. Since the actuation ofeach type element which is performed in the same manner as described inthe referred to patent, constitutes an instantaneous percussive strokeon the part of a spring loaded trip hammer, the type box 21 may bepermitted to return to its zero or home position with almost noperceptible delay following its attainment of each selection.

While the present invention has been explained and described withreference to particularly illustrated features and embodiments, it wouldbe understood nevertheless that numerous changes and variations may bemade without departing from its essential spirit or scope. Ac-

variable connection with said carriage, a series of slide cams eachhaving characteristic cam surfaces and a switching member, an elevatorvertically slidable in said carriage, a source of rotary power includinga reciprocating member for moving said elevator as well as said seriesof slide cams selectively, means responsive to certain components of apermutation code telegraph signal for shifting the switching members insaid slide cams to determine the cam surfaces to be used, meansresponsive to case signals for positioning said cam member and there bydetermining case positioning of said carriage, and means responsive toother components of a signal for determining which of said series ofslidecams is moved by said reciprocating member.

2. A cyclically operative power mechanism for printing telegraphapparatus including a shaft movable reciprocally throughout a powertransmitting cycle, a beam shiftable laterally in opposite directionsfrom a zero station, a type carriage associated with said beam receivinga primary setting in accordance with the shifting of said beam, aplurality of slide cams each having individual slope characteristics insymmetrical arrangement, a switch carried by each of said slide camshaving cooperating slope char-.

acteristics in correspondence with its slide cam, means responsive tocertain impulses of a permutation code signal for resolving thedisposition of all of said switches in order to determine the directionof lateral movement imparted to said beam by an operated one of saidslide cams, and means responsive to certain other impulses of apermutation code signal for coupling one of said slide cams to saidshaft during a printing cycle for determining the degree of movementimparted to said beam and the ultimate setting of said type carriage.

3. A sub-selector mechanism for telegraph printers which comprises atype carrier, a projection extending from said carrier, a series of camsparallelly arranged and each provided with alternative characteristiccam profiles for guiding said projection, eachof said series of camshaving associated with it a switch for routing the projection to saidalternative cam profiles, a power mech anism, means for coupling each ofsaid seriesof cams to said power mechanism individually and selectivelyto cause said cam to move into engagement with the projection, and ashiftable member for shifting all of the switches of said series of camsfor thereby determining the alternative routing of the projection inresponse to the coupled and operated oneof said series of cams.

4. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a series of type elements arrangedin coordinate rows, a principal support for said type elements movablehorizontally and vertically to dispose a selected one of said typeelements'at a printing station, a cam member for imparting a grossmovement to said support in correspondence with a case .selec? tion, aseries of slide cams for imparting a unit movement to said support eachhaving characteristic slope-angle surfaces, a switching elementassociated with each slide cam, a source of power in said apparatus forimparting movement to a selected one of said series of slide cams, meansresponsive to a certain component of a permutation code character signalfor shifting said switching elements, means responsive to certainpermutation code case signals for positioning said cam member, and meansresponsive to other components of said permutation code character signaland for determining whichof said series of slide cams is coupled withsaid source of rotary power.

5. In a permutation code device, a cyclically operative power mechanism,a selecting beam movable in alternative directions from a zero position,a plurality of slide cams each having opposed cam slope characteristics,a switching element carried by each'of said slide cams for directingsaid selecting beam to one or the other of said opposed cam slopecharacteristics, means responsive to certain impulses of a permutationcode signal for resolving the disposition of all of said switchingelements, and means responsive to certain other impulses of a permuta-13 tion code signal for coupling one of said slide cams to said powermechanism for determining the degree of movement imparted to said beam.

6. In a permutation code selector for printing telegraph controlsystems, a beam shiftable laterally through variable distances and inalternative directions from a start position, a type carriage associatedwith said beam, a plurality of slide cams having different opposed slopecharacteristics, a switching element carried by each of said slide camsfor directing the beam to one or the other of said opposed slopecharacteristics, means responsive to part of a permutation code signalfor shifting all of said switching elements simultaneously, and meansresponsive to other parts of a permutation code signal for selecting oneof said slide cams for engagement with said beam.

7. A mechanism for telegraph printers which includes a type carrier, atselecting beam associated with said carrier, a series of slide cams eachprovided with opposed characteristic cam profiles for guiding said beam,each of said slide cams including a switching element for routing thebeam alternatively to one or the other of said opposed cam surfaces ofits cam, a power mechanism, subselector means responsive to certainimpulses only of a character signal for coupling each of said cams tosaid power mechanism to cause said cam to move into engagement with thebeam, and a shiftable member for switching all of the switching elementsfrom one of their alternative positions to the other for therebydetermining the direction of routing the beam within the selected andoperated one of said series of cams.

8. A telegraph printing mechanism comprising a type carrier, aslidewardly extending traveler on said carrier, a series of cams eachprovided with a characteristic cam profile for guiding said traveler indifferent lateral degrees 5;.

of movement, a switching element associated with each cam for routingthe traveler directionally toward alternative profiles of its cam, apower mechanism, means for selectively coupling one of said cams to saidpower mechanism to cause said cam to move into engagement with thetraveler, and a shiftable member for shifting all of the switchingelements simultaneously for thereby deter mining the direction ofmovement imparted to said traveler by the selected and operated one ofsaid series of cams.

9. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box comprising a series ofspring loaded type elements arranged in coordinate rows and consistingof two primary groups, a primary carriage capable of moving horizontallyacross the width of a page printing platen, a secondary carriage borneby said primary carriage and shiftable horizontally relative thereto foraligning one of said primary groups of type elements for printing, acammable link for effecting the shift movements of said secondarycarriage, a

series of slide cams each individually operable for eifectingcharacteristic incremental movement to both said carriages, an elevatorvertically slidable in said primary carriage for disposing said type boxat various horizontal levels, and a single power take-ofi mechanismcyclically operative to impart a vertical reciprocal movement to saidelevator and to a selected one of said slide cams concurrently forthereby imparting an angular composite movement to said type boxcomprised of the vertical and horizontal componential movements of saidlink, slide cams, and elevator.

10. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box supporting individualtype elements arranged in coordinate rows, a frame for movinghorizontally in respect to a page printing platen, a carriage for saidtype box borne by said frame, a link connecting between said frame andsaid carriage for effecting a horizontal case shift movement, a seriesof slide cams each individually operable for effecting characteristicincremental movement in addition to said case shift movement, anelevator vertically slidable in said carriage for disposing said typebox at varians horizontal levels, and a power take-off mechanism toimpart a vertical thrust movement to said elevator, to a selected one ofsaid slide cams, and to said connecting link for thereby imparting aresultant movement to said type box comprised of the vertical andhorizontal componential movements of said link, slide cams, andelevator.

11. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box, a plurality ofindividual spring retractile type elements in said type box arranged incoordinate rows and in two case groups, a principal frame supportingsaid type box and capable of moving horizontally, a carriage borne bysaid frame, means for effecting a horizontal case shift movement betweensaid frame and said carriage, a series of slide cams for effecting acharacteristic incremental movement for disposing said type box atvarious horizontal levels, and a power mechanism cyclically operative toimpart a vertical movement to said elevator and to any of said slidecams concurrently for thereby moving said type box componentially.

12, In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box in eluding a series ofprojectile type elements arranged in vertical and horizontal coordinaterows, a support frame for said type box moxable horizontally in grossmovements relative to a stationary platen, a carriage for said type boxshiftable horizontally in incremental movements relative to said supportframe, a cam member having a pivotal connection in said frame and avariable connection in said carriage, a series of slide cams each havinga pair of symmetric cam surfaces and a switching element, an elevatorvertically slidable in said carriage and mounting said type box, asource of rotary power in said apparatus including a reciprocatory powertake-off for imparting a vertical movement to said elevator as well asto one of said series of slide cams selectively, means responsive tocertain components of a permutation code signal for shifting saidswitching elements in said slide cams to select one of the cam surfacesof a selected slide cam which is to be utilized, means responsive tocertain code signals for positioning said cam member and thereby makinga gross movement of said carriage, and means responsive to certain othercomponents of a code signal to determine one of said series of slidecams to be operated by said power takeoff for thereby making incrementalmovement of said carriage.

13. A secondary selecting mechanism for printing telegraph apparatuscomprising, a shaft associated with a typing unit, a series of cams eachhaving internal profile apertures which defines a lateral clearance tosaid shaft and opposed symmetrical camming surfaces for engaging saidshaft, a path routing switch element associated with each cam fordirecting said shaft toward one or the other of its said opposed cammingsurfaces, a member responsive to certain attributes of a code signal forshifting all of the routing switch elements to one side or the otherrespecting their cams, and a code bar subselector for connecting one ofsaid cams with a cyclic powering device to move said cam toward saidshaft whereby said typing unit is characteristically disposed as saidshaft moves into the lateral clearance afforded by the dormant ones ofsaid cams.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 including a detent spring-heldin position to maintain said shaft centered in respect to said camapertures, and means carried by said detent engageable by an operatedone of said cams for withdrawing said detent from its centeringposition.

15. In a printing telegraph apparatus, type carrying means including aseries of type elements arranged in coordinate rows, said means movablehorizontally and vertically relative to a stationary platen, a series ofslide cam means for governing the horizontal movement of said typecarrying means, each of said slide cam means having characteristic camsurfaces and a switching mem- 15 bet, ,an elevator verticallyslidahle togovern the vertical movement of said type carrying means, a firstselecting means for controlling the shifting of said switching member insaid slide cam means to determine the cam surfaces to be used, a secondselecting means comprising selectively controlled stop elements fordetermining the elevation to which said elevator is raised,

and knee-action instrumentalities cooperably associated a cam memberhaving a pivotal connection in said frame'and a variable connection withsaid carriage, a series of slide cammeans, each of said means havingcharacteristic cam surfaces and a switching member, an elevatorvertically slidable in said carriage, a first select-l ing meansforcontrolling the shifting of said switching members in said slide cammeans to determine the cam surfaces to be used, a second selecting meanscomprising'selectively controlled stop elements for determining theelevation to which said elevator is raised, and knee-actioninstrumentalities cooperably associated with said carriage, saidknee-action instrumentalities comprising an anticipator means to beimpinged against selected stop elements, whereby under the combinedaction of said cam means and said knee-action instrumentalities a typeelement is positioned to efiectuate a printing operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED PATENTS 2,505,729Zenner V Apr. 25, 1950

